Book picks similar to
Hit & Run Bride by Nana Malone
romance
contemporary-romance
free
chick-lit
Love on the Boardwalk
Nikki Lynn Barrett - 2019
He’s concealing his true birth heritage. They’ll have to trust their hearts even if they’re sure love is a lie. Now that Eva Halloway is back in her hometown of Cinnamon Bay, she has one full plate with the grand re-opening of her newly inherited boardwalk cafe and a broken engagement to hide from the town gossip mill. First, Eva must bury her bruised heart, and second, she must ban the ridiculous Cafe Amour drink from the menu. But, sexy stranger, Mac Jenssen strolls into her cafe and before she knows it, they’ve both sipped on the legendary love concoction. By the end of the day, Eva is up to her neck in a feud with a trio of matchmaking little old ladies and wondering if she can trust herself to help Mac uncover his past. Macklin Jenssen arrives in Cinnamon Bay to search for the family who gave him up for adoption. Instead, he finds Eva, a legend about love, and a lighthouse with ties to his past. Plus, a spiced drink that is out of this world delicious. He hasn’t bargained for any of it, but he isn’t saying no to love either. In fact, the more he comes to know Eva, the more he’s considering a permanent move. Too bad she’s made up her mind about him, and the odds aren’t in his favor. With town gossip and crazy bat-wielding locals, Eva and Mac face an uphill battle. It might be opposites attract or even fate, but they will have to learn to trust in each other and the power of love if they ever want to find their happily ever after. Delve into a new world of romance, mystery, and magic in the quirky coastal town of Cinnamon Bay, North Carolina.
Melting His Heart
Kris Pearson - 2013
Might the advertisement seeking a ‘Superwoman’ be her answer? Short-listed, she’s flown to the vibrant winter tourist resort of Queenstown at her prospective employer’s expense. Snow is dusting the mountain tops as the jet glides in, and she’s shocked to be collected by tall, dark internet billionaire Matthew McLeod. Where is the woman she spoke with on the phone? Kate is driven first to hospital to meet his injured sister, and then to their magnificent home to stay the night. Lottie is a world-famous painter, and Kate craves the job as her assistant, but she’s totally unsettled by charismatic Matthew who teases her unmercifully. Knowing she’s dangerously attracted, she vows to refuse the job, should it be offered, and run like hell. After a disastrous first marriage, Matthew has lived in a freezing void. His duplicitous ex-wife chose him for his money, and when she tried to blackmail him he swiftly divorced her and swore off future entanglements. He’s buried himself in his work to keep the demons at bay, but now there’s a potent new threat tearing at his resolve. Although she’s plainly diving for cover, job-seeker Kate is dragging his ruthlessly suppressed emotions back to the surface. Temptation he’s easily shrugged off in the past now eats him alive. Can he persuade her to stay long enough to fan the smouldering sparks between them until they burst into white-hot flames?
Extra Credit
Poppy Dunne - 2017
Not to mention the kind of stockbroker who Bluetooths his deals on the trail my dog and I like. Who does that?Turns out, the father of my new favorite student. And since drooling is discouraged at parent/teacher conferences, I try not to look him in his steel-gray eyes. Which is how I noticed how hard his chest is under that button-down. And the conspicuous absence of a ring on his finger.Basically, I have a crush on the one single dad who’s totally off-limits.I really should have said no to that date. A delicious pancake breakfast isn’t worth my job if anyone finds out. An even more delicious romp in the hay is a little more worth it. So maybe just one more to double-check. Famous last words.Because the only thing worse than banging a student’s dad is falling in love with him.
Conflicted
M.M. Koenig - 2013
Her life was everything she wanted it to be; until one fateful night changed everything – leaving her broken and without direction. Nearly a year later, she still has little faith in anyone or anything. Desperate to reclaim her life’s ambition, she takes an unexpected offer that promises to solve all her problems. But as Mia moves forward, she’s faced with obstacles she couldn’t have foreseen. The biggest of them lies within the mystery of Ethan Fitzgerald; a man who affects her like no other, but who she should avoid pursuing, at all costs. On a mission himself, Ethan Fitzgerald didn’t care who he pissed off on his road to fulfill his mother’s dying wish. He relied on himself, and was closed off to the world around him – until Mia Ryan walked through his door. Normally one to avoid messy emotions, Ethan’s world is turned upside down by Mia, and he can’t seem to get enough of her. There are lines you can cross that will change the course of your life forever …
Every Little Kiss
Susan Hatler - 2015
Now she’s a successful Realtor, and a workaholic who stays away from complicated emotions—until her grandmother dies, leaving Wendy the Inn at Blue Moon Bay and mandating that if Wendy sells it, she must put it on the market herself “in person.” As soon as Wendy arrives in Blue Moon Bay, bad memories, the inn’s poor condition, and her brother’s pleas to keep the inn overwhelm her. Then she meets a sexy laid-back stranger on the beach, and Wendy does something she never does . . . she opens up and confides her problems to him. Since Max Huntington’s only in town for one night, Wendy spontaneously kisses him, hoping to be distracted from her troubles for just one evening. But when Wendy begins the painstaking process of fixing up the inn in order to sell it, Max tells her he’s staying on longer. He’s enchanted by the charming inn and even more with the kisses they shared on the beach. He wants to help her with the repairs, and she reluctantly accepts his offer. Although she’s determined to remain detached from the allure of her inn, Blue Moon Bay and Max, every repair, every stroll on the beach, and every moment spent with Max, draws her in and reminds her of the local legend she’d believed as a child: that being kissed by the bay under a blue moon will lead to love that lasts forever.
Texas Heartthrob
Jean Brashear - 2004
In disguise, traveling through the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, he encounters a rail-thin, starving woman who has lost everything but the dilapidated cabin where she once lived with her grandmother in happier days. Raina Donovan is determined to make her stand there, but winter is coming, and Liam cannot desert her until he can make her safe, however much she tries to make him leave.Day by day, they draw closer, but Raina has secrets and so does Liam. Before they can trust enough to confide in each other, the world catches up with them. Can they overcome the stunning shock of their deceptions to find a way to be together, or will the price of their lies ruin any chance they might have for a future?Revised and updated edition of A Real HeroThe TEXAS HEROES contemporary western romance series includes:TEXAS SECRETSTEXAS LONELYTEXAS BAD BOYTEXAS REFUGETEXAS STARTEXAS DANGERTEXAS ROOTSTEXAS WILDTEXAS DREAMSTEXAS REBELTEXAS BLAZETEXAS CHRISTMAS BRIDETEXAS TIESTEXAS TROUBLESTEXAS TOGETHERTEXAS HOPETEXAS STRONGTEXAS SWEETTEXAS HEARTTHROBTEXAS HEALERTEXAS PROTECTOR
Never Close Enough
Anie Michaels - 2013
At her greatest moment of need, a protective and sexy Porter Masters comes to her rescue. Ella takes a holiday week at the coast to discover herself and finds her attraction to Porter potent and undeniable. Uncertain of their future together, Ella struggles to open her heart to trust again. Porter Masters takes care of his own: his single mother, his company, and now he’s compelled to protect the beauty that walked into his world. Never one for relationships in his past, Porter discovers that he was waiting all along for Ella. As their time together comes to an end, will Porter fight for the woman who stole his heart? Porter will find a way to keep her, despite the obstacles.
The Play
J.H. Croix - 2017
Falling in love is complicated.I want her. There’s just one problem. She’s my doctor, and she says it’s a no-no. I’ve never been one to play by the rules.But she’s not falling for me. Olivia is the challenge I have to beat.With her lush curves and her by-the-book attitude, all I want to do is show her exactly what she’s missing. Again and again and again.I’ll bring her to her knees…in more ways than one. I didn’t count on her bringing me to my knees.
*A full-length standalone sports romance.
Blissed
Jamie Farrell - 2014
But it’s redemption time, and she’s putting on her big girl panties to make sure this year’s bridal festival goes off without a hitch. Even if it means she has to play nice with the man who broke her fairy tale.She’s definitely not the one for him. Or is she...World adventurer and reluctant local hero CJ Blue doesn’t want to be in Bliss anymore than Natalie wants him here. But family obligations have brought him back, and now he’s somehow been roped into saving the town tradition he’d rather forget with the woman whose kiss he can’t forget. She frustrates him and drives him nuts but he's had more fun giving her a hard time about the bridal festival than he has in years.And their fun is just starting...Despite their rocky past, these two wounded souls have more in common than they expect. They’ve both loved and lost, they’ve both tried to move on, and now they’ve both been been banned from the local church confessional after...well, they’re not supposed to talk about it. But by joining forces for the sake of Bliss, they might find the courage and the sparks to risk love one more time.Note: BLISSED was previously published for like 5 minutes many years ago as THE HUSBAND GAMES. Publishers Weekly called it a "Marvelous romantic comedy" in a starred review and named it as a "Self-Published Star" of 2014.
His Rules
C.C. MacKenzie - 2015
And for the fans of Nico and Bronte - we meet them again in this fast-paced, hilarious read! Ambitious, workaholic Anastacia Morgan runs Ferranti Communications with a cool-head and an iron will. Her latest project is ensuring sports star Olivier Conti does what he's told in a series of adverts. Olivier is impossible with a huge ego she's more than able to handle. His smile may do wonderful things to her libido, but Ana is determined to succeed where other women fail and resist the gorgeous soccer star. However, in this game there are no rules and Olivier's never missed scoring a penalty, yet.
Hooked
K.C. Falls - 2013
He lets women believe what they think they see. It’s easier that way. No woman would want the truth he’s never shared. Lara Lamb is sailing away from what she thought she wanted. Because she wanted the wrong things and always for the wrong reason. Lara sees Morgan for what he is: a rich, shallow Peter Pan who happens to have a cute monkey. Trouble is she’s only right about the monkey. She’s everything Morgan never wanted. She makes the easy way look like the coward’s way. Ready to take the chance, Morgan struggles with how to let Lara closer than anyone’s ever been. Will his unspeakable wounds be too deep for her to bear?
Wild Love
Melissa Schroeder - 2021
In fact, I prefer my partners don't get too clingy. Don't get me wrong. I like a good night of loving, but beyond that, I’m happy to see them leave inthe morning, without my number.Then I met him. Quinn is a big bear of a man, with massive hands and amazing...staying power. Like all night long and the next morning kind of staying power. So when he asks me to spend the next day with him, I do. The only reason I give him my number is because he makes me laugh. And, okay, so I might have met up with him once or twice.That doesn't mean I need him. Because I am Everly Freaking Spencer, and I don't need anyone (other than my bestie), and definitely not a man.Only...He shows up by chance at my store, which totally freaks me out. Finding out he's my favorite author doesn't help either.And the surprise that's dropped in our laps later that day?Major. Freak. Out.But, like I said, I don't need anyone.Right?If I keep repeating that, I might just believe it.Author warning: Get ready for a trip into the hippiest little town in Texas. There's gossipy little old ladies (LOLs), an app that every teenager hates, trips to Denver and Cali, a woman who is convinced true love doesn't exist, and man who aims to prove her wrong by doing things to her that should embarrass the author. And she was. (Not really). Along the way readers get to spend time with the gorgeous Hawthorne brothers and gay ducks. SERIOUSLY. GAY. DUCKS. Just get the book already because you know you want to know about them. Also, there's a happily ever after fit for a woman with commitment issues and man who just doesn't know when to give up.
One S'more Summer
Beth Merlin - 2017
She knows it’s wrong and it has to stop, but she hasn’t been able to let go ever since they all met on the bus to summer camp back when they were 7 years old. The same week that her best friends finally announce their wedding date, Gigi loses her high-profile design job. With all of her dreams unravelling, she runs to the last place she remembers being happy.Taking the Head Counselor position at Camp Chinooka, Gigi hopes to reclaim the joy she felt as a camper, but the job isn’t all campfire songs and toasting marshmallows. Gigi’s girls are determined to make her look bad in front of the boys’ Head Counselor—the sexy but infuriating Perry—and every scrap of the campground is laced with memories.When Gigi finally realizes she can’t escape the present by returning to her past, she’s forced to reexamine her life and find the true meaning of love. But will she be able to mend fences and forgive herself before she loses her one real shot at happiness?The Campfire Series1. One S’more Summer—Releases May 30, 2017!2. S'more to Lose—Coming December 2017!
Strangers Like Us
Mary Campisi - 2017
Readers who loved Mary Campisi
All The Things We Lost
Kayla Tirrell - 2017
Lost in turmoil and sadness, a ray of hope shines brightly when she comes face to face with Julian for the first time in years.However, he isn’t the same boy she left behind. Reserved and covered in bruises, everyone in River Valley avoids him. Rumors of his activities run rampant.Despite his cold attitude toward her and her own sadness, Katie can’t keep her thoughts from straying to her childhood friend. Julian is barely keeping it together. He’s the sole provider for his family after his dad leaves. His dreams to go to college are ruined. Even his relationship with his older brother leaves its mark.But, Katie’s back in town and is stirring feelings in him he thought were lost forever.Can they find hope and love in each other, or will the struggle to survive their desperate situations prove too much?